Garbage Disposal Sink Drain Safety Device

ABSTRACT

A sink drain accessory is provided for assisting a user with disposal of waste materials into a sink drain, while preventing solid objects within the sink from entering the drain. The device comprises a hollow conduit, a funnel portion attached to the upper edge thereof, a sealing rim and sealing rails to provide liquid seals within the drain and maintain the device in a balanced position, along with a plunger tool. The sealing rim is horizontally disposed along the base of the hollow conduit, while the sealing rails are vertically disposed around the outer surface of the hollow conduit. Drain apertures are positioned above the sealing rim to allow liquid to flow from the sink and into the device. Liquid and solid waste may be placed within the funnel portion of the device by a user and pushed down into the sink drain with the aid of the plunger tool.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/422,897 filed on Nov. 18, 2010, entitled “Drain Safe”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sink drain accessory, and more specifically to a device for assisting a user in disposing of liquid and solid waste material into a sink equipped with a garbage disposal device, while preventing non-waste articles within the sink from entering the drain.

Sinks equipped with garbage disposals are useful for cleaning waste food products from plates and eating utensils without having to first dispose of the waste material in a receptacle prior to its placement into the sink for cleaning. Similarly, sinks with garbage disposals eliminate the need for a catch drain that collects solid waste from entering a drain, as food material can be sent through the disposal for processing. In this way, the garbage disposal has become a common device in most households. However, there exist several drawbacks with regards to their current use, which produce risks to both the user and the disposal equipment if not properly operated.

The design of a garbage disposal drain is similar to a conventional drain, wherein an aperture is provided to drain liquid and food products therethrough with minimal interference. A rubber catch may be provided, but does not provide resistance to any meaningful objects flowing with the draining water. Therefore it is common for utensils, solid food articles such as animal bones, bottle caps and similar objects to easily fall into this orifice and be stuck until physically removed by a user. If not removed, the garbage disposal will destroy the object, or further cause damage to the disposal itself.

Users attempting to wash dishes or other items in a sink often find themselves watching for items that may fall into the drain. If items do fall into the drain, retrieval of these objects can be hazardous, particularly if the garbage disposal is not disconnected beforehand or if a user attempts to remove an item with his or her bare hands and without a retrieval tool. Garbage disposals comprise rotating blades that grind waste material, which can easily harm a human hand or finger if precautions are not taken during the disposal operation. Further still, because of the nature of the waste material being shredded, garbage disposals are full of bacteria that should be avoided if possible.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art contains a variety of sink drain accessory devices for restraining liquids or solids from entering a sink drain. These devices have familiar design and structural elements for the purposes of controlling the entrance of objects or fluids into a drain; however they are not adapted for the task of facilitating food material through a drain sink in a safe manner while restricting other objects from falling therein, while also providing apertures to allow water to flow therethrough for proper operation of the disposal.

Valentine et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,731,649 discloses a drain stopper comprising, a cylindrical outwardly flanged trough, a cap member, and a seal attached thereto. Said outwardly flanged trough having a plurality of drain holes disposed about a lower portion of its surface. The cap member being centrally secured to and extending downward through said trough. A lower portion of said cap member being positioned beneath said trough member and having a rubber seal secured thereto for sealing the drain of a sink. A knob is disposed at the upper end of said cap member that facilitates a user with insertion and removal of the device. When water flows into the drain, the device forms a liquid seal, preventing water from flowing down the drain. This device is not adapted to allow food and water to flow through the device and into a drain. Valentine does not disclose a funnel member or a cylindrical channel for directing food or liquid into a drain.

Lin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,290 discloses a slidable drain plug comprising a drain fitting, a supporting post, a sealing cap attached thereto, and a lower bearing portion. The drain fitting is of a standard type adapted to fit in most household sinks. The drain fitting has a cylindrical bowl shape with an outwardly extending upper lip that lays flush with a bottom portion of a sink. The lower bearing portion is centrally positioned at the bottom of said drain fitting. The supporting post is operably secured to the lower bearing member such that the former is permitted to slide downwards and upwards. A sealing cap is disposed at the upper end of said supporting post. The sealing cap comprises a drain cover having a shallow dome shape and a handle knob centrally secured to the top of the same. When a user presses downward on the handle knob the supporting post slides downward and the drain cover fits snuggly over the opening of the drain fitting to create a water seal. When in use this device does not allow food or liquid to be funneled into the drain. Lin does not disclose a cylindrical guiding member that fits snuggly against the walls of a drain fitting. Lin also does not disclose a funnel extending upwardly from a drain for guiding food and liquid into the drain.

Dunicz, U.S. Pat. No 4,205,710 discloses a device for funneling chemicals and liquids down a sink drain, comprising a funnel, a strainer sleeve. Said funnel having a cylindrical nose disposed upon a lower portion of the same. The funnel is secured to the upper rim of said cylindrical strainer sleeve. A plurality of drain holes is disposed along the surface of said strainer sleeve to permit water to flow into the drain. The lower edge of the strainer sleeve is flanged and abuts the bottom of a sink to prevent solid articles from entering the drain. The device of Dunicz is intended for use in disposing of liquids into a chemical sink, not the disposal of solid food waste into a garbage disposal unit. The cylindrical nose portion of the funnel prevents solid food objects from entering the drain through the funnel.

Domenig, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2001/0052149 discloses a sink drain extension for funneling liquid and solid wastes into a garbage disposal without permitting water in the sink to seep into the drain. The device comprises a hollow tubular member, a stabilizing member, and sealing means. The hollow tubular member is a tube extending vertically upward from a sink drain. The tubular member is held in place by the stabilizing means. A variety of stabilizing means may be employed including a solid block stopper, an arcuate flanged base, flanged braces, and others. The sealing means is operably connected to the stabilizing means so that when the device is placed in a sink, the stabilizing means fits within the walls of a drain and the sealing means creates a liquid between the two. A strainer may be inserted into the tubular member to prevent solid objects from entering the drain. In this manner liquid from the sink is prevented from entering the drain opening but access to the drain is still available to a user via the device's hollow tubular member. There is no disclosure of a funnel member extending upwardly from the hollow tubular member. Domenig does not discuss a plurality of drain holes in the device since the purpose of the device is to maintain a water level within a sink, not allow it to drain as with the present invention. Furthermore, there is no disclosure by Domenig of a plunging means for pushing solid waste through a tubular member and into a drain.

Hood, U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,409 discloses a strainer for a sink drain comprising a hollow vertical cylinder member, a funnel member, and a plurality of vertical drain slots. The hollow vertical cylinder is secured to a funnel member along a lower portion of the former. The mouth of the funnel member extends upward from the lower portion of the hollow vertical cylinder. A plurality of vertical drain slots is disposed along the upper and lower portions of the cylinder. These grooves allow water to pass through the cylinder and into the drain. In an alternative embodiment, a stopper is provided that fits snuggly within the upper end of the hollow cylindrical member. The device is placed within a drain so that the lower portion of a funnel fits into the drain opening, thus preventing water and solid objects from entering the drain. Liquids to be disposed of are poured into the funnel where they seep into the drain slots, downward through the hollow cylinder, and into the drain. Hood does not disclose a funnel member attached to the top of a hollow cylinder. Nor does Hood discuss sealing rails affixed to the hollow cylinder for creating a liquid seal around the drain. Unlike the present invention, Hood is not adapted to allow solid waste items to be dispersed into a drain or garbage disposal.

None of the devices discussed above disclose the use of a plunging means for pressing solid waste into a sink drain. The devices disclosed by the prior art do not address the need for effective disposal of food and beverage items into a garbage disposal unit, without allowing other solid items in a sink to enter the sink. The present invention relates to a device for facilitating disposal of food, wherein the device comprises an upstanding, cylindrical member that protrudes above the base of the sink to prevent unwanted articles from entering the disposal drain while cleaning. Apertures in the cylindrical member allow water to flow into the drain, while a plunger tool is utilized to force food therethrough and into the garbage disposal during operation. The structure and intention of the present invention substantially diverges in elements from the prior art; consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to the existing sink drain accessory devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of sink drain accessories now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new plunging means wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when disposing of solid waste into a sink drain. The device comprises a hollow conduit, a funnel portion, a sealing lip, sealing rails, and a plunger tool. The main body consists of the hollow conduit and the funnel portion that is secured to the upper edge of said hollow conduit. When placed into a sink drain, the hollow conduit sits within the drain and the funnel extends upward from the drain. A sealing lip is disposed along the lower, outer portion of the hollow conduit. The lip fits snuggly against the walls of a sink drain to prevent dislodgement of the device or articles from entering the drain from outside of the conduit. A plurality of sealing rails is vertically disposed along the outer surface of the hollow conduit. These rails abut against the walls of a sink drain to prevent the device from tilting or becoming unsteady while in use. Drain holes are positioned above the sealing lip and in between the sealing rails to allow liquid within the sink to flow into the conduit and into the sink drain. The size of the drain holes prevents large particles of food, utensils and other solid objects from passing therethrough.

A plunger tool is included for pressing solid waste substances through the conduit and into a sink drain. The plunger comprises a handle, a supporting rod and a rigid disc. At a first end of the supporting rod, a handle is secured to allow a user to grip the plunger. The rigid disc is secured to a second end of the supporting rod, in opposition to the handle. Food waste is often tacky and may stick to the walls of the device. To facilitate disposal of food wastes, a user may use the plunger to push the food down. This improves overall safety of a garbage disposal system, as a user does not have to utilize his or her hands in order to feed material into the drain.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sink drain accessory having all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sink drain accessory having a plunger to push solid waste into a sink drain.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sink drain accessory that prevents solid items in a sink from entering the drain while allowing a user to dispose of solid waste through the device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sink drain accessory that allows liquid in the sink to enter the sink drain but prevents solid material from doing the same.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is securely mounted to a disposal sink drain, and one that is not prone to dislodge during operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sink drain accessory having durable and resilient construction.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above invention will be better understood and the objects set forth above as well as other objects not stated above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes use of the annexed drawings wherein like numerals are used throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present sink drain accessory device, including all of its components.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present sink drain accessory device in use in a garbage disposal sink drain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the sink drain accessory device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for disposing of food and liquid waste while preventing solid items in a sink from entering the drain. This is for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the present sink drain accessory. The device comprises a hollow conduit 11, a funnel portion 12, a sealing lip 13, a plurality of sealing rails 14 and a plunger 15. The funnel portion is secured to an upper edge of the hollow conduit to form the main body of the device. The hollow conduit 11 is cylindrical and is sized to fit within the walls of a sink drain fitting. To prevent the device from sitting too low in a drain fitting, a seal lip 13 is disposed along a lower portion of the hollow conduit 11. The lip has a horizontal alignment and extends around the circumference of the hollow conduit 11.

Along the sides of the hollow conduit surface, a plurality of sealing rails is disposed. The sealing rails 14 are vertically aligned and equally spaced around the outer surface of the hollow conduit 11 with respect to each other. In a preferred embodiment, there are four sealing rails 14 that divide the outer surface of the hollow conduit 11 into quarters. These rails abut against the walls of a sink drain when the device is in use, and provide support to keep the conduit in a static position and reduce the risk of dislodgement. In between the sealing rails 14 there are a plurality of apertures 16. The apertures 16 are drain holes for allowing liquid from the sink to enter the drain through the device. They are disposed above the sealing lip 13 along the hollow conduit 11. These drain holes are adapted to sit above the level of the sink drain and allow water to flow into the drain, which is required during operation of a garbage disposal. They are similarly positioned to allow the conduit to be placed into the drain while cleaning utensils and other articles during normal operation of the sink, wherein these articles may fall into the drain if not covered by the conduit. The drain holes 16 allow normal outflow of water from the sink drain when desired, while the plunger tool 15 may be positioned within the conduit 11 to block the articles from falling therein if utilized during normal dish washing operations.

The plunger 15 comprises a handle 17, a supporting rod 18, and a rigid disc 19. The handle 17 is disposed at a first end of the supporting rod 18, and the rigid disc 19 is disposed at a second end of the same. The handle may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes and surface contours to promote a comfortable and secure grip by a user. The rigid disc 19 has a round shape and a flat bottom surface. Its diameter is equal to or less than that of the hollow conduit 11 so that the plunger 15 may be moved in and out of the conduit 11 with ease. In an alternative embodiment, the bottom of the rigid disc may have a conical shape or a domed shape to facilitate plunging of different types of solid waste.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the present sink drain accessory device in use. The device fits within a sink drain such that the hollow conduit 11 sits within the drain fitting and the funnel portion 12 extends upward from the same, sitting above the lower surface of the sink. The walls of the hollow conduit 11 and funnel portion 12 prevent food and other solid object in the sink from entering the drain while the device is in place. The diameter of the hollow conduit 11 may vary to fit different types of sinks. Sinks that are primarily used for liquids may warrant a smaller diameter of hollow conduit with more drain holes, while restaurant grade sinks may necessitate a larger hollow conduit for disposing of large amounts of food waste. Waste is guided into the hollow conduit 11 by the funnel portion 12, which may have sides that are wide and gently sloping for guiding large pieces of solid waste. Alternatively the sides of the funnel portion 12 may be short or steeply sloped to accommodate smaller sinks.

The sealing lip 13 and sealing rails 14 prevent the liquid from pooling around the device. When the device is placed within a sink drain, the sealing lip 13 snuggly abuts against the inner walls of the drain. This creates a liquid seal that prevents liquids from within the sink from entering the drain by running down the sides of the drain. Sealing rails 14 also abut against the inner walls of the sink drain to form vertical liquid seals that section the area between the sink drain walls and hollow conduit 11 into pockets of space. The sealing rails 14 provide balance support for the device and guide liquid within the sink into the device. Liquids run down into the drain area where they are guided down towards the drain holes 16. These drain holes may vary in size and number according to the sink intended for use with the device. In a preferred embodiment two apertures 16 are positioned between two seam rails 14. It is contemplated that more drain apertures 16 can be added for high volume sinks. In another embodiment the hollow conduit 11 may have no drain holes in order to maintain the level of liquid in the sink without allowing it to drain.

Food waste is sometimes tacky, sticky or highly viscous, which may cling to the inner walls of the hollow conduit 11. The plunger may be used to force food down through the device and into a drain or garbage disposal. The flat bottom of the rigid disc 19 provides a barrier that compresses solid wastes when a user exerts downward force. The structure of the plunger provides a user with the ability to compress solid waste into the sink drain and garbage disposal without having to risk personal injury by placing their hand anywhere in proximity to the drain.

In use an individual places the main body of the device within a sink drain fitting and presses gently downward to insure that it fits snuggly against the inner walls of the drain. Solid waste such as food or plant materials may be placed within the funnel portion of the device. If a garbage disposal is being employed, the user may turn on a faucet and run water into the funnel of the device. Solid and liquid wastes are guided downward into the hollow conduit by the sloped walls of the funnel portion. If solid wastes become lodged in the device a user may grip the plunger by its handle and exert downward force to push the solid material into the drain. Liquid within the sink may enter the drain by running down the sides of the device and into the drain holes on the sides of the hollow conduit, further facilitating water entry into the garbage disposal during operation. Any solid materials within the sink are prevented from entering the sink by the upstanding walls of the hollow conduit and funnel portions, which extend above the base of the sink and provide a barrier for articles that would otherwise be prone to falling into the drain.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1) A sink drain accessory, comprising: a cylindrical hollow conduit with an upper and lower edge and an outer surface; said upper edge having a funnel portion extending upwardly therefrom; a plurality of sealing rails vertically disposed along said conduit outer surface; a plurality of drain apertures positioned between said sealing rails along said hollow conduit and above said sealing rim. 2) A device as in claim 1, further comprising said lower edge having a sealing rim, horizontally disposed along said outer surface and extending radially outward. 3) The device of claim 1, further comprising a plunging means for forcing material through said conduit. 4) The device of claim 1, wherein said sealing rails are equally spaced around said conduit outer surface. 5) The device of claim 1, wherein said drain apertures are disposed in equal number between said sealing rails. 6) The device of claim 3, wherein said plunging means comprises a handle secured to a first end of a supporting rod, and a working end secured to a second end of said supporting rod. 7) The device of claim 6, wherein said working end is a disc having a flat bottom surface. 8) The device of claim 6, wherein said working end has a convex conical shape. 9) A sink drain accessory, comprising: a cylindrical hollow conduit with an upper and lower edge and an outer surface; said upper edge having a funnel portion extending upwardly therefrom; said lower edge having a sealing rim, horizontally disposed along said outer surface and extending radially outward; a plurality of sealing rails vertically disposed along said conduit outer surface; a plurality of drain apertures positioned between said sealing rails along said hollow conduit and above said sealing rim. 10) The device of claim 9, further comprising a plunging means for forcing material through said conduit. 11) The device of claim 10, wherein said plunging means comprises a handle secured to a first end of a supporting rod, and a working end secured to a second end of said supporting rod. 12) The device of claim 11, wherein said working end is a disc having a flat bottom surface. 13) The device of claim 11, wherein said working end has a convex conical shape. 14) A sink drain accessory, comprising: a cylindrical hollow conduit with an upper and lower edge and an outer surface; said upper edge having a funnel portion extending upwardly therefrom; said lower edge having a sealing rim, horizontally disposed along said outer surface and extending radially outward; a plurality of sealing rails vertically disposed along said conduit outer surface; a plurality of drain apertures positioned between said sealing rails along said hollow conduit and above said sealing rim; a plunging means for forcing material through said conduit. 15) The device of claim 14, wherein said plunging means comprises a handle secured to a first end of a supporting rod, and a working end secured to a second end of said supporting rod. 16) The device of claim 15, wherein said working end is a disc having a flat bottom surface. 17) The device of claim 15, wherein said working end has a convex conical shape. 